GB2210024A - Bottle dispenser with cam-operated valves - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispenser for accurate measurement of spirits, wine and the like at point of sale has a body (10) defining a reservoir (22) of predetermined capacity with inflow and outflow ducts (14, 20) controlled by respective valve members (30, 32). A camming member (42) is shifted to operate the valve members by means of an operating arm of a lever (52) being displaced rearwardly by a hand holding a glass or other receptacle positioned to receive discharge from the reservoir through the outflow duct and said camming member is so shaped that the valve members are operated in a predetermined sequence phased so that neither valve member can move from its closed position while the other valve member is other than at its fully closed position thus ensuring that there is no inflow to the reservoir during discharge. In another embodiment, instead of linearly slidable cam (42), a rotary eccentric cam is used and the valves are at an angle to the vertical. <IMAGE>

Description

LIQUID DISPENSER This invention is concerned with liquid dispensers as commonly used for example in bars, cafes or the like to dispense an accurate measure of spirits, wine or other beverages from the bottle or other bulk at point of sale, though it is to be understood that the dispensers may be used in other circumstances and/or with other liquids.

More specifically the invention applies to the type of liquid dispenser having a reservoir whose capacity determines the relevant measure and which refills automatically, e.g. by gravity, the dispenser being mounted in use to connect with the neck of an inverted bottle or with some other bulk container and being provided with resiliently loaded actuating means which is displaced by the user when a measure is to be dispensed, typically into a drinking glass or to other open topped receptacle, and this type of dispenser is hereinafter referred to as a liquid dispenser of the type described'.

Fair trading and consumer protection legislation and regulation are increasingly concerned to ensure that a customer receives a fair and accurate measure of predetermined quantity and as made known to the customer.

For example requirements are being imposed whereby the customer will receive a known and stated quantity where wines or the like are sold "by the glass!. A further requirement, planned for introduction in the UK in 1989 is that it shall not be possible for liquid to be admitted to the reservoir while it is still being discharged, i.e. the inlet must remain fully closed whenever the outlet is opened, even by a small degree, so as to ensure that the customer can see that the reservoir is fully emptied to deliver the complete measure in clear distinction from the immediately preceding or immediately following measuring cycles.

A dispenser for use with such high value liquids as spirits needs to be tamper-proof and foolproof in construction and operation as well as being reliable and consistent in performance for accurate stock-control and to reduce the opportunities for fraud.

There is also increasing concern that dispensing of drinks and the like shall take place under the most hygienic conditions practicable. Many commonly known forms of dispenser are actuated by pushing a plunger or the like upwards using the rim of the drinking glass to be filled, leading to risk of contamination and crossinfection. The most up-to-date recommendation is that dispensing shall be effected without any contact between the receptacle and the dispenser.

The object of the invention is to provide a liquid dispenser of the type described which is accurate and reliable in operation convenient and economical to manufacture and maintain, durable in use and which meets the most up to date fair trading, consumer protection and hygiene requirements and recommendations.

According to the invention there is provided a liquid dispenser of the type described including a body having an inflow duct operatively fed by gravity or other means with liquid from the bulk container, an outflow duct separated from the inflow duct for delivery of liquid from the dispenser, and a reservoir formation defining a measuring chamber having a predetermined capacity with which said ducts connect; an inlet valve member movable between a closed position at which it blocks the inflow duct and an open position permitting inflow therethrough; and an outlet valve member movable between a closed position at which it blocks the outflow duct and an open position permitting outflow therethrough; wherein the actuating means includes a camming member selectively movable between first and second positions and profiled for displacement of the two valve members between their closed and open positions in a predetermined sequence so phased that neither valve member can move from its closed position while the other valve member is other than at its fully closed position.

Conveniently the valve members are plunger-type members guided for movement in opposite senses to engage oppositely directed profiled faces of the camming member.

The shaping and motion of the camming member and the disposition of the valve members may vary. For example the camming member may be a profiled slide block guided for rectilinear movement and acting between opposing valve members, or it may be a rotary or angularly displaceable member having arcuate or other eccentrically disposed camming faces.

Preferably the camming member is directly or indirectly resiliently biassed to its first position and, at said position, the outlet valve member is held at its closed position and the inlet valve member is at its openposition so that the reservoir is filled.

It is also preferred that the actuating means includes an operating arm or other formation which is displaced rearwardly, e.g. by the hand of an operator holding a glass or other receptacle in a position to receive the discharge from the outflow duct in use to shift the camming member to its second position at which the outflow valve member is at its open position and the inflow valve member is at its closed position.

Embodiments of the invention are now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a liquid dispenser being a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 of Figure 1 with moving parts not shown for clarity; and Figure 3 is a vertical sectional side view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the dispenser there shown comprises a body 10, in this example fabricated from plastics mouldings all or some of which may be secured permanently together by fluid tight joints e.g. by an ultrasonic welding process.

Body 10 comprises a main inner section 11, and an upper inner section 12 defining an upwardly extending inflow duct 14, the upper part of the latter being shaped to provide a connecting spigot 16 for insertion into the neck of an inverted bottle or to some other bulk supply of the liquid to be dispensed.

A lower inner section 18 of the body defines an outflow duct 20 having a downwardly directed mouth.

A reservoir 22 of accurately predetermined capacity is defined by said sections of the body in conjunction with a domed reservoir shell 24 formed of transparent plastics material so that its contents are visible from the front of the dispenser, the reservoir being in communication with ducts 14 and 20 by way of respective upper and lower valve ports 26, 28. These ports and the parts of ducts 14 and 20 leading therefrom to the exterior of the body àre aligned on a common vertical axis.

Plunger-type inlet and outlet valve members 30, 32 are in sliding engagement with guide bores defined in main inner section 11 and centered on said common axis between the opposing ports 26 and 28 for movement independently of each other, compression springs 34, 36 acting on flanged inner ends of the valve members to urge them towards each other i.e. to positions at which the respective valve ports are open to allow flow through the associated duct into or from reservoir 22.

The inner ends of the valve members 30, 32 are provided with respective roller cam followers 38, 40.

A camming member 42 is guided for rectilinear movement forwardly and rearwardly along a horizontal path intersecting said vertical axis in a horizontal cylindrical guide sleeve 44 extending horizontally at a mid-portion of body 10, said member being urged rearwardly by a further compression spring 46 located in a forward extension of inner section 11 which projects into reservoir 22.

The springs 34 and 36 urge the valve members 30 and 32 inwardly so that their cam followers 38, 40 engage upper and lower faces of a median acting portion 48 of member 42. Each said face is shaped to provide a cam track and has a respective profile for phased movement of the valve members as camming member 42 is shifted forwardly and rearwardly. The profiling of said faces is so arranged that each valve is displaced to its closed position shutting off the associated duct with compression of its respective spring 34 or 36 before there is any displacement of the other valve from its open position, there being a mid-section of acting portion 48 providing a 'dwell" phase at which both valves are closed, thus it is impossible for both valves to allow any passage of liquid at the same time.

Camming member 42 is operated by actuating means, in this example including a connecting rod 50 pivotally connected to the free end of camming member 42 by a knuckle joint and an actuating lever 52 fulcrummed at 53 on an outer two part shroud 54 of the body 10. Lever 52 has a first generally upwardly extending arm of which is connected to connecting rod 50 by a further pivotal knuckle joint and a second generally downwardly extending arm of which extends outside body 10 below and to the rear of outflow duct 20.

The valve and actuating mechanism described above is operatively enclosed within the two-part shroud 54 (not shown in Figure 2), this forming a rearmost part of the assembled body and including a mounting lug or bracket 56 for attaching the dispenser to a rack, shelf or other bar fitting.

In operation, with the components at the position of rest shown in Figure 1, camming member 42 is urged to the left, as seen in that drawing, by the action of spring 46 and the operating arm of lever 52 is thus urged to the right near to the vertical axis of the ducts 20 and 14.

In this position the inlet valve member 30 is at its lowermost fully open position determined by the profile of the upper camming face of member 42. At the same time the outlet valve member is urged to its lowermost position by the lower camming face so that the lower valve port 28 is closed. In this position liquid flows freely from the bottle or other bulk supply through the inflow duct 14 until reservoir 22 is full.

When it is desired to dispense a measure of the liquid into e.g. a drinking glass the user will hold the glass below outflow duct 20 at the same time pressing the operating arm of lever 52 rearwards (without any contact with the rim of the glass) so shifting camming member 42 forwards compressing spring 46. The cam follower 38 of the inlet valve member 30 rides up the upper camming face until the upper valve port 26 is closed. For a brief mid-portion of the travel of member 42 both valves are closed then the outlet valve member 32 rises while the upper valve member is kept closed. This allows the contents of the reservoir to be discharged through outflow duct 20 into the glass.When inlet valve member 30 is raised to its closed position a rearwardly extending tab 60 thereon raises a small breather valve 62 in the body upper section 12 to allow air te enter the upper part of reservoir 22 as it empties.

While a camming member movable in a rectilinear path has been described in this example it is to be understood that other forms of camming member could be substituted, for example a rotary or angularly movable member having arcuate camming faces coacting with the inlet and outlet valve members. This latter arrangement is exemplified by the embodiment now described with reference to Figure 3.

In Figure 3 parts having the same function and operating in the same way as their equivalents in Figures 1 and 2 are given the same reference numbers prefixed by 3.

In this embodiment the body 310, though shaped somewhat differently from body 10 of Figures 1 and 2, is assembled in substantially the same way to comprise a main inner section 311, an upper inner section 312 including an inflow duct 314 with spigot 316 and a lower inner section 318 defining an outflow duct 320, a reservoir 322 being defined in conjunction with a domed transparent reservoir shell 324 as described above though of somewhat different shape, the Figure 3 construction permitting an assembly which is more compact particularly in its front to rear dimensions.

Reservoir 322 communicates with ducts 314 and 320 by way of upper and lower valve ports 326,328 as described above, though in this example the ports and their associated plunger-type inlet and outlet valve members 330,332 are centered on respective axes which are somewhat inclined with respect to the common axis of the inlet and outlet ducts. Each valve member is urged towards the other by respective compression springs 334,336 i.e. said springs urge them to their open positions.

A camming member 370 takes the form, in this example, of a rotary cam journalled for angular movement about a transverse axis 372 on the intersection of the inclined axes of the valve members, the inner ends of said members having flat heads 374,376 serving as cam followers which bear on the periphery of member 370.

Said periphery is formed to provide arcuate camming faces or lobes at differing radii with respect to axis 372 so phased that with member 370 in the position of rest shown in Figure 3 the outlet valve member 332 is retained positively in its closed condition while the inlet valve member 330 takes up a fully open position.

Actuating means of this embodiment comprises an actuating lever 352 having substantially the same shape as lever 52 of Figure 1 but which is fulcrummed at its inner end on a cross shaft 379 positioned behind camming member 370. A toothed rack segment 378 fast with lever 352 meshes with a pinion (not shown for clarity) fast with camming member 370 so that angular displacement of lever 352 from a forward to a rearward position by a hand holding a glass or other receptacle to position it below outflow duct 320 as described above will be transmitted to camming member 370 to cause 180 deg. rotation of the latter.

The shaping of member 370 ensures that, during an intermediate stage of said rotation at around 90 deg.

from the starting point opposing maximum radius portions of its periphery act on the two valve members for positive closure of both of them simultaneously, only when this stage has been passed will the outlet valve member 332 be allowed to open by interaction with the minimum radius portion of said periphery for discharge of the contents of the reservoir 322, the inlet valve member 330 being maintained positively closed.

When the reservoir has emptied completely to deliver the full measure lever 352 will be released and a tension spring 380 connected between said lever remote from shaft 378 and an anchorage on housing inner section 311, pull-s said lever forward again so returning the camming member 370 to its initial position.

In the course of this return movement the outlet valve member 332 will be positively closed and maintained closed before there is any opening movement of the inlet valve member 330 which allows the automatic refilling of reservoir 322 once more.

As with the Figure 1 embodiment the actuating mechanism is enclosed within a two-part shroud 354 forming a rearmost part of the assembled body and including a mounting lug or bracket 356. A tab 360 on inlet valve member 330 operates a breather valve 362 as previously described to vent reservoir 322 for emptying.

The constructions described above have few moving parts and can be economically produced using lightweight and cheap yet durable and hygienic plastics components.

They are substantially tamper-proof, the reservoirs are fully sealed and their capacity does not depend on use of internal displacement members; a choice of capacities can be accurately and economically provided by substituting the appropriate size and shape of reservoir shell 24, 324 at the time of manufacture in combination with standard body components and mechanism.

Claims (11)

1. A liquid dispenser of the type described including a body having an inflow duct operatively fed by gravity or other means with liquid from the bulk container, an outflow duct separated from the inflow duct for delivery of liquid from the dispenser, and a reservoir formation defining a measuring chamber having a predetermined capacity with which said ducts connect; an inlet valve member movable between a closed position at which it blocks the inflow duct and an open position permitting inflow therethrough; and an outlet valve member movable between a closed position at which it blocks the outflow duct and an open position permitting outflow therethrough; wherein the actuating means includes a camming member selectively movable between first and second positions and profiled for displacement of the two valve members between their closed and open positions in a predetermined sequence so phased that neither valve member can move from its closed position while the other valve memoer is other than at its fully closed position.

2. A dispenser as in Claim 1 wherein the valve members are plunger-type members guided for movement in opposite senses to engage oppositely directed profiled faces of the camming member.

3. A dispenser as in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the camming member is a profiled slide block guided for rectilinear movement.

4. A dispenser as in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the camming member is a rotary or angularly displaceable member having arcuate or other eccentrically disposed camming faces.

5. A dispenser as in any preceding claim wherein the camming member is directly or indirectly resiliently biassed to its first position.

6. A dispenser as in any preceding claim wherein, with the camming member at its first position, the outlet valve member is held at its closed position and the inlet valve member is at its open position to permit filling of the reservoir.

7. A dispenser as in any preceding claim wherein the actuating means includes an operating arm or other formation which is displaced rearwardly to shift the camming member to its second position at which the outflow valve member is at its open position to discharge the reservoir through the outflow duct in use and the inflow valve member is positively held at its closed position.

8. A dispenser as in Claim 7 wherein said operating arm or other formation is positioned for engagement and rearward displacement by the hand of an operator holding a glass or other receptacle in a position to receive said discharge.

9. A dispenser as in any preceding claim wherein said body is an assembly of sections together with a reservoir shell which together define the reservoir, the capacity of said reservoir being determined by the shape anc dimension of saic shell.

13. A dispenser as in Claim c wherein said sections anc said shell are formed of plastics material.

11. A liquio dispenser -substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to ano as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.